Like any other station, viewing material and programs spark personal controversy. Instead of reflecting on news, I turned to fellow blogs. One in particular caught my eye because the show he was writing about will air tonight. The TV and Film Guy, had some interesting points on tonight PBS special Nova: The Family that Walks on All Fours.
“While it is great that Nova does show the other point of view in their newest episode, “Family That Walks on all Fours,” lending any sort of credence to this devolution, or “genetic throwback” theory at all smacks of sensationalism. I very much doubt whether this sort of “journalism” would be accepted if the family in question lived in the United States. I believe such a story is only viewed as acceptable and amazing because it takes place in a poor area of rural Turkey, a distant enough physical location that some scientists can dehumanize this family without feeling guilty.”
Is this journalism truly dehumanizing? If no prior knowledge of these people existed would the average American family suffer from ignorance? There is a need to remind many that their world just doesn’t stop at their garden gate, but I do concur that perhaps this means of broadcasting could be more sensitive and just. But then again, it airs tonight! Let’s watch and see…
Nova — “Family That Walks on all Fours” airs Tuesday November 14th at 8:00PM on PBS.
As many of your all are aware of by now, this past election was a great turning point for power in current government. The Senate and House of Representatives are, for the first time in 16 years, majority Democrats. Since our president is a Republican, this balance of power will hopefully improve these next two years of Bush’s candidacy, in respect to the Iraqi war, social security – you name it, they can debate it.
Although I am a Republican, I was pleased for this change because it was a glimmer of hope for PBS. The bill passed to pull funding will come into effect these next two years, but since legislations has shifted, there exists a higher opportunity for that bill to be either recalled, or changed completely. I’d settle with just a little bit of change. You know, that tiny difference that keeps a nationwide organization suitably funded.
And yes, PBS’s “News Hour” with Jim Lehrer broadcasted the Elections.
I’m taking a little break from reading others’ blogs to post a little bit of information of the donation system for PBS. There are many ways to contribute!
Since the Federal Funding has been reduced, more than half of the funding for PBS comes from viewers. Aside from those hour long telethons on the channels, where you can call in and do donations over the phone, here are some other ways one can go about making a contribution to PBS as and individual, group, or company.
Membership
Depending on your donation to the station, one can be an “Individual”, “Patron” or join the “Leadership Circle”. Within each tear, the price donation increases. Naturally, so do the benefits. The top donation ($10,000 and up) is the “Chairman’s Circle” which includes
Receive all the Individual Membership, Associate, Patron Circle, Directors’ Circle, Producer’s Circle and President’s Circle benefits, plus
Optional on-air listing several times throughout the year
Donation of a videotape of your choice to a school or nonprofit organization
Patron Circles
There are two categories to the Patron Circle; Silver and Gold. Silver means a cash donation of $400 to $749, Gold ranges from $750 to$900. Perks of donating are discounts on favorite public television merchandise at Channel9Store.com, Tours of the station, and invitation to meet the producers or hosts of our locally produced programs (Gold Patrons)
Leadership Circles
There are several different levels in the Leadership circle. Donations from $1,000 and up benefit with feature articles in start at KCTS Quarterly Newsletter, special tour opportunity for a group of your choosing, all the way up to a donation of a videotape of your choice to a school or nonprofit organization.
Corporate Clubs
When companies donate to PBS, they will receive on-air publicity in the form of the small “commercial” breaks between each program. If you watch PBS, you’re aware of those little textual blurps between that often say, “This has been possible by XYZ Company”. Company donations start at 4 days a month ($1,000 – $1,999) and go to 365 days a year ($5,000 and above).
Volunteer!
“KCTS, the Public Network is always looking for volunteer groups for our next Pledge Drive. If you can pick up a phone, take a pledge and smile for the camera all at the same time, you’re in luck! In exchange, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to take a tour of the station, partake of a light meal and experience the behind-the-scenes excitement of a live production. It is great exposure for your organization, plus an opportunity for an on-air interview if you bring at least 10 volunteers. Please e-mail volunteer@kcts.org or call 206.443.6720 for more details.”
Vehicle Donations
I bet you never thought that you can help PBS by donating your car. Well you can. The benefits of donating you car are it’s simple, free, and easy, you may receive a sizable tax deduction, and the proceeds from the donation will help KCTS bring you more of the great television you enjoy. So if you’re thinking of dumping that old gas guzzler from freshman year in the Penny saver or junkyard, reconsider!
Eyes of the Prize (left), the landmark six-hour documentary about the ivil rights movement, returns in three installments this month on PBS. The Oscar-nominated film, and essential for teachers and historians since its 1987 release, has been unavailableon TV or video, due to copyright issues, for 13 years.
I found this article while I was reading through Oprah’s October Issue of “O Magazine”. The show it mentions (“Eyes on the Prize”) is the same show that was up against heated debate over censoring of a certain word. I wrote an post on that censorship a while back if you care to read.
What are the general dollar amounts needed to keep television and radio programming free on PBS and NPR? A lot.
Q: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO MAKE A TV PROGRAM?
A: Each program varies, depending on length, resources, talent and other variables. Each local program costs anywhere from $10,000 to about $60,000. A national program like Masterpiece Theatre can cost more than $1 million per show.
Q: How much does it cost to make a Radio program?
A: Each program varies, depending on length, resources, talent and other variables. For example, “House Calls”, SDPB Radios weekly health program, costs about $70,000 a year, or about $1,700 per episode.
October 17, 2006 at 9:18 pm
· Filed under Mac, PBS, iTunes
“The Public Broadcasting System (PBS) has joined the growing list of television networks that makes its shows available for purchase and download through Apple’s iTunes store.
PBS has debuted seven series available for download through iTunes — its beloved children’s animated series Arthur, Cyberchase, Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman, Antiques Roadshow, the esteemed science program Nova, the news show Now, hosted by David Brancaccio, and Scientific American Frontiers, hosted by Alan Alda.
Shows vary in price — most cost $1.99, as do most television programs purchased through the iTunes Store, with the ability to buy all episodes available for purchase as well. Nova, however, costs more — $7.99 per show.“
The advantage of downloading shows from iTunes is availability to viewing. Buying an episodes allows you to view it over and over again at your leisure. Hopefully, thanks to the ever growing popularity of iTunes, PBS will earn a profit. More often or not the large donations to PBS are sponsored by large companies with an extensive community relations budget. Now, perhaps, there will be some reaping thanks to iTunes subscribers. My fingers are crossed!
Public Television has always relied on donations from viewers, like you. In the past, PBS was only viewed through a subscription, like HBO and Showtime are today. These subscriptions supported local, and nationwide stations. I was looking around YouTube and found this vintage video of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, promoting the urgency for financial support.
It goes to show you a message can stand the test of time.
October 16, 2006 at 8:57 pm
· Filed under NPR, NPR Radio
In an effort to get you, the reader, more educated and interested in Public Broadcasting, here’s a link to the Public Radio Programming Schedule. I urge you to look around and see if there’s a show you’re interested in. There are many shows covering everything from politics and government, to health and opinions.
How do I listen to NPR Radio?
You can learn more about listening to NPR at NPR Everywhere. On this page, you will find information about listening to NPR domestically and internationally on a wide range of devices, including AM/FM, digital and satellite radios, the Internet, podcasts, and more. NPR Everywhere NPR via RSS
What Programs Does NPR Produce and Distribute?
NPR produces and distributes more than 130 hours of original programming each week, and local NPR stations also broadcast many programs which are produced by stations and other radio networks. View a list of public radio programs
Many of these shows you can listen to on your own computer!
Cool, no? Check it out.
October 16, 2006 at 8:24 pm
· Filed under PBS, Television
The other night I was sitting in my room watching a special on PBS on a new aquarium built in the US that houses the first, living, great white shark. The episode went on to talk about how having her in captivity is hope to scientists everywhere who wish to observe, test, and reveal the mysteries of a “killing machine”. Now the public image of these misunderstood creatures will change, or so they presume. As the show went into the lifecycle of barnacles, my cell phone rang. When the hello’s where through, my friend on the other line asked what I was up to. I told him I was watching PBS. He responded with,
“Why?”
I’ve been getting that response a lot.
Seems every person I talk to, or reference PBS to, suddenly acquire the look of being slightly disturbed; as if the channel prompts extreme boredom, dizziness, and pain. Many in University relate PBS to the shows watched when young. “Sesame Street”, “Arthur”, “Barney and Friends”, the staples of weekday mornings. What happens after toddler years? It’s as if by the age of 8, PBS disappears from the television forever.
Can you blame it though? Should there be another channel out there competing with the likes of VH1, MTV, Comedy Central and The Discovery Channel? The target market’s attention span might be of that of a shark, however, I feel to secure the future of PBS financially, shows addressing and appealing to a teen-preteen audience should be considered.
Public Broadcasting isn’t solely restricted to the television. Radio consumes public broadcasting, without the known reputation found associated with T.V. shows on PBS. Those who listen to public radio are the same who come to enjoy public television: they are sick of forced, biased, media. Over the years, many Republicans have pointed fingers at the National Public Radio for being drawn from the liberal “educated elite”. At the same time, NPR comes back to say the reason their content strays toward the more liberal front, is because conservative, “big business”, sectors are already being covered by the likes of corporate and private stations. Someone needs to cover both sides.
Swaying between both sides of the scales, Dick Gordon, a veteran of NPR, is returning after the cancellation of his show “The Connection” with a new program, “The Story”, set to broadcast nationwide soon. Dick Gordon’s new show does not preach, or protect. “The Story” “tells the tales of everyday folks”. Not politicians, CEO’s, or activists; just simple people with (sometimes) extraordinaire lives.
A seemingly nonchalant topic will come to affect all listeners. Average individuals, like you and me, become universal through story telling. For when we come to know one another, we will come to know ourselves.
